Music  

Make a joyful noise into the Lord... Ps. 98

Why teach music?

Music can name the unnamable and communicate the unknowable. Bernstein

But, best of all, music is beautiful. 

It is the creative product of civilization.  It is the best of a culture (or at least it can be).

The aim and final reason of all music should be nothing else but the Glory of God and the refreshment of the Spirit.  Johann Sebastian Bach

Activities:
The Kennedy Center is a great resource. They offer quality work and give "Cue Sheets" (lesson plans) prior to some performances for children. http://kennedy-center.org/ (the sign up for these trips is in Sept. at the first Heritage meeting)

Pick a composer for the month.  Get books on him, play his music for the background to lunch or any part of the day.  Ask questions like "how does this make you feel?, what do you hear?, what do you imagine now?"

Get the music to a movie your children really like.  Lord of the Rings is one idea.  Listen and remember.

Remarkable music classes are given by Aniko Debreceny here in our area. www.singingworks.com  They are tonic solfa classes.  Her site explains.  I've seen a wide range of children respond to her so well.- and the price is good.

Music was originally discreet, seemly, simple, masculine, and of good morals.  Have not the moderns rendered it lascivious beyond measure?  Jacob of Liege (14the Century)

Books:

The Gift of Music: Great Composers and Their Influence
by Jane Stuart Smith, Betty Carlson

The Spiritual Lives of the Great Composers
by Patrick Kavanaugh

Composer's Specials Teacher's Guide: Listening Guides, Discussion Topics and Cross-Curricular Activities by Betsy Henderson

Lyrical Life Science, Vol. 1
Douglas C. Eldon, Eric Altendorf (Illustrator)

Lyrical Life Science: Mammals, Ecology and Biomes, Vol. 2
Douglas C. Eldon, Douglas Eldon, Dorry Eldon

The Story of the Incredible Orchestra: An Introduction to Musical Instruments and the Symphony Orchestra
Bruce Koscielniak

The Story of the Orchestra: Listen While You Learn About the Instruments, the Music and the Composers Who Wrote the Music!
Robert T. Levine, with a CD

The Barefoot Book of Stories from the Opera
Retold by Shahrukh Husain, James Mayhew (Illustrator)

Illustrated Book of Ballet Stories
Barbara Newman, Gill Tomblin (Illustrator), with a CD

Music Education Resources (thanks to Kathy S.)

Music Together   "... pioneered the concept of a research-based, developmentally appropriate early childhood music curriculum that strongly emphasizes and facilitates adult involvement. The Music Together approach develops every child's birthright of basic music competence by encouraging the actual experiencing of music rather than the learning of concepts or information about music."

MusikGarten "is a revolutionary early childhood music education company designed to enable teachers to understand how children from birth to age 9 learn music. Musikgarten provides teachers with the tools to help a child grow musically, as well as emotionally, socially and cognitively."  See the "Family Music" book/CD combinations.

Kindermusik "is the world's leading publisher of music and movement curricula for parents and their children, ages newborn to 7 years old. ... curricula based on new and proven research in child development. The award-winning books, CDs, games, and instruments nurture skills in the whole child: cognitive, physical, social, emotional, and language."

Calvert School "The Mayor Melody Lane takes children on a tour of Calvert School and the musical world. The course includes a guidebook and 32 lessons on six videotapes." K-3

Live Concerts